Traffic Light Optimizer System

1. Traffic Light Optimizer System Chris Houser cs410

2. Outline • Problem with traffic lights • Effects of problem • Benefits of optimization • The Optimization System • Challenges • Benefits

3. Problem • Over 300,000 traffic lights in the US1 • Much of traffic delay is caused by waiting for light to turn green • Traffic lights often get neglected by local governments • Over half of traffic lights are in need of repair, replacement, or upgrading1

4. Effects of Poorly Managed Traffic Lights1 • Motorists spend more time in traffic • Motorists are more likely to ignore signal (e.g. running red light) • Side streets and residential roads get more traffic • Higher accident rates are observed

5. Optimize! • Optimization of traffic lights is the most cost-effective way to reduce gas consumption1 • Optimizing and interconnecting lights would cost 4-15 cents per gallon of fuel saved • Total benefit-to-cost ratio for traffic light optimization approaches 40 to 1

6. But how can we make this happen?

7. The Optimizer • Centralized network of traffic lights • Traffic data from each is compiled and analyzed in real-time • Malfunctioning lights are quickly reported to maintenance crews • Lights are coordinated with each other to maximize traffic flow

8. Hardware • Road sensors • Networking cable • Network servers

9. Software • Traffic monitoring system • Compile the data from each light and calculate optimal cycle times • Coordinate timing of separate lights

10. Challenges • Will be a large, complex system • Coordination between separate jurisdictions may be complicated • Convincing communities to invest in this may be difficult

11. Benefits • Reduce traffic • Reduce driver anxiety • Reduce accidents • Lower gas consumption • Save money

12. Reference • http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/13466.pdf US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, 1995